Walsh The Man For Now

Bears coach Dave Wannstedt ended two days of suspense by naming Walsh the starting quarterback for Sunday's game at Tampa Bay. Walsh's appointment could be for just one game, or indefinitely.

"I think there are two major reasons that have brought this decision on," Wannstedt said before Wednesday's practice in Lake Forest. "One, I think (Walsh) has earned an opportunity to start from the way he has performed. The second thing is that from just talking with Erik and studying the film the last two weeks, he has been pressing an awful lot and he just hasn't been in sync. And I think this is the fair thing and the right thing to do at this time.

"I talked to (Kramer) this morning and his attitude is fine. It is not a situation of losing confidence in a guy. It is really a situation of looking at the total situation for the team and where we are right now."

Kramer has a 1-4 record in games he has started this season; Walsh is 3-0.

"We have gotten off to slow starts a couple of weeks (with Kramer), and I'm optimistic that this might get us going quicker," said Wannstedt.

Kramer still must be ready to step in if Walsh gets hurt or is ineffective.

"I told Erik that he needs to be ready to come in," said Wannstedt. "And we are going to give Erik ample work in practice and not make any more of this situation than what it is."

The relationship between Walsh and Kramer could be tested during this transition period.

"No, we have a good working relationship," said Kramer.

"I know it is uncomfortable," said Walsh. "I have been in his shoes before at New Orleans, where I felt I was the guy. I understand his situation. And it is really the first time for me being on the other end of it."

When he was with the Lions, Kramer at times would go from being the starter to playing third string behind Rodney Peete and Andre Ware. He must have thought those days were over when he signed with the Bears as a free agent in February.

"Possibly. But I also know that nothing is ever handed to an individual," said Kramer. "There are always circumstances surrounding the situation too."

Most Bears players are trying to steer clear of taking sides in the Walsh/Kramer debate, just as players did in past Bears quarterback shuffles.

"I don't see why people point the finger anyway," said wide receiver Curtis Conway. "We lost as a team and we played terrible as an offense.

"Everybody says the defense is struggling, but we have to keep the defense off the field. Anytime you are not putting points on the board, that keeps our defense out on the field.

Kramer is in the first year of a three-year, $8.1-million contract. Walsh, who earns $600,000, can become a free agent at the end of this season.

"This is not anything that is etched in concrete," said Wannstedt. "For how long . . . it is just an extra burden that I need to deal with. But, by the same token, we have eight games left and we need to do what we need to do each week to try to get as many wins as we can."

Walsh has completed 65 of 103 passes for 617 yards and three touchdowns. He directed victories over the Jets, Bills and Saints. Walsh entered the second half of Monday's loss to Green Bay with the Bears down 14-0.

"When he has gone in there he has performed well," said Wannstedt. "I know Steve's strengths and weaknesses. And he understands those. He understands the offense fine. They both are in the first year of this system. So we sometimes have a tendency to get ahead of ourselves there maybe."

Kramer is 97 of 149 passing for 1,105 yards and eight TDs. He has been intercepted seven times and sacked 13 times. He seemed out of sync against the Packers, completing five of 10 passes for 34 yards and tossing two interceptions.

"I just didn't have a very good game. I don't know exactly how to explain it. But I made a few poor decisions, and maybe the circumstances and elements surrounding the game caused a little bit of that.

"I think I have had one bad game. So I am not in the frame of mind to evaluate my whole season against Steve's whole season. I am not in the position to do that."